Rome , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The founder of a Mexican Catholic order sexually abused minor-age seminarians and fathered three children with two women , the religious sect has revealed .

The Legion of Christ order and its lay Regnum Christi Movement asked for forgiveness Thursday for `` the reprehensible actions of our founder , '' the Rev. Marcial Maciel .

`` We express our sorrow and grief to each and every person damaged by our founder 's actions , '' said a communique signed by the Rev. Alvaro Corcuera and 15 other Legion of Christ leaders .

The abuse allegations surfaced in 1997 . The Vatican started an investigation into Maciel 's actions in 2004 and concluded in May 2006 that he was guilty of sexual abuse , the group said .

`` We had thought and hoped that the accusations brought against our founder were false and unfounded , since they conflicted with our experience of him personally and his work , '' the order 's statement said .

As a result of the Vatican investigation , however , officials at the Legion of Christ `` reached sufficient moral certainty to impose serious canonical sanctions related to the accusations made against Maciel , which included the sexual abuse of minor seminarians . Therefore , though it causes us consternation , we have to say that these acts did take place , '' the group said Thursday .

Law enforcement officials apparently were not informed .

The Vatican , `` mindful of Father Maciel 's advanced age and his delicate health , decided to forgo a canonical hearing and ask him to retire to a private life of penance and prayer , giving up any form of public ministry , '' the communique says .

Pope Benedict XVI approved the decision .

Although leaders at the Legion of Christ knew of the abuse since May 2006 , they kept it quiet until this week . As of Friday , Maciel 's biography on the order 's Web page merely said , `` In May 2006 , the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith invited Father Maciel to ' a reserved life of prayer and penance , renouncing all public ministry . ' ''

Maciel died January 30 , 2008 .

Javier Bravo , spokesman for the sect in Mexico and Central America , said Legion leaders did not reveal the accusations sooner because `` it has been a very difficult process . We were n't ready to assimilate it before . ''

Now , he told CNN en Español , `` we have to recognize the facts as they are . ''

Legion leaders acknowledged the delay , saying in Thursday 's communique , `` It 's taken us some time to assimilate these events of his life . For many -- above all the victims -- this time has been too long and painful . ''

In addition to sexually assaulting young seminarians , Maciel fathered at least three children , Thursday 's statement said .

The priest had a daughter from a stable relationship with a woman , and two men said they are his children from a relationship with another woman .

Maciel , born in March 1920 , founded the Legion of Christ in January 1941 .

According to the order , the Legion of Christ has a presence in 24 countries .

The first Legionaries arrived in Spain in 1946 , and the order established a center in Rome in 1950 . In the 1960s , the Legion established itself in Ireland and the United States . In the 1980s , the order expanded into more countries in South America and Central Europe . The Legion says it recently began pastoral projects in Eastern Europe and Philippines .

The announcement about Maciel comes against a deepening crisis in the Catholic church , which is investigating complaints of abuse in Ireland , Germany , Britain and several other countries .

@highlight

NEW : `` We have to recognize the facts as they are , '' spokesman says

@highlight

Legionnaires of Christ ask forgiveness for `` reprehensible actions of our founder ''

@highlight

Vatican concluded in 2006 that Rev. Marcial Maciel was guilty of sexual abuse

@highlight

Priest allowed to retire ; he died in 2008